Fox News Journalist Expelled From Iraq

Published 7:00 pm, Friday, February 14, 2003

Associated Press Writer

A Fox News reporter is being expelled from Iraq in response to the United States' expulsion of a reporter for the Iraqi News Agency, the network said Saturday.

Fox had been told Friday that all four of its staff members would have to leave Iraq, but three technicians will be allowed to stay after a meeting with government officials, said John Stack, the network's vice president of news gathering.

Stack said the network unsuccessfully appealed the expulsion of correspondent Greg Palkot, but will continue the appeals process.

"If their government wants to have fair coverage they need to have as many journalists as possible reporting back their side of the story," Stack said. "We're not going to give up until we have equal footing in our correspondents."

Fox News was told by Iraqi officials that the move, which leaves the network without a reporter in Iraq, was a result of the United States deciding to expel Mohammed Allawi, a reporter for the Iraqi News Agency.

Allawi, who has reported from the United Nations for the past two years, said he received the expulsion letter at his Manhattan home Thursday saying he and his family had 15 days to leave.

Palkot has been reporting from Iraq for two weeks and was asked to leave by Monday, Stack said. He said Fox does not know if Palkot can be replaced, but that issue is also part of the appeals process.

Fox News rotates its journalists in and out of Iraq; they stay based on how long their visas allow, Stack said.

While the network does not have a reporter in Iraq, coverage of the nation will be handled from other countries and through news agencies, the network said.